Crawley beat MK Dons for the second time in as many days, winning 5-1 at MK Stadium and winning 8-1 on aggregate to take them into the Sky Bet League Two play-off final.
Scott Lindsey’s side built a 3-0 lead from the first leg in West Sussex on Tuesday, and in Buckinghamshire, Jay Williams and Dani Danilo Orsi extended the lead to 5-0 in the first half hour.
Max Dean pulled a goal back for the home side with a volley but Orsi ( Orsi) restored a two-goal cushion on the night.
Dean saw a penalty saved by Reds goalkeeper Corey Addai before substitute Jack Roles struck shortly after his shot hit the left post. Scored the fourth goal.
Orsi then completed a hat-trick from Ronan Darcy’s cross in second-half stoppage time to end a thoroughly one-sided game.
Crawley take on Crewe at Wembley on Sunday 19 May – live sky sports football – A place in Sky Bet League One is at stake.
How Crawley tore MK Dons to shreds
Only once in the play-off history has a deficit of three goals or more been overturned – Sheffield Wednesday’s win over Peterborough last season – so Milton Keynes boss Mike Williamson called on his players to “persevere” in attack in order to Turn the game around.
Their task went up a notch three minutes later when Williams burst forward from midfield, stole the ball from Alex Gilbey and, under pressure, fired the ball into the bottom left corner.
After this, Team MK enjoyed a spell of possession, but they were passive in possession, so when it looked like the home side had Crawley leading 5-0 on aggregate, Orsi took advantage of Dan Harvey. It was no surprise to misjudge the bounce and lead 5-0 on aggregate.
Dean volleyed home in first-half stoppage time after a lapse in concentration at the back to halve the night’s deficit, although there were questions over whether he should have remained on the pitch after appearing to step on Williams earlier. There is doubt in the half.
Crawley restored their two-goal cushion of the night in style two minutes into the second half when Clay Diolos crossed the ball to Liam Kelly who added Orsi’s second of the night Pass the ball nonchalantly. By this time, the visiting team could already hear shouts of “ole”.
MK then won a penalty when Kelly was adjudged to have handled Ellis Harrison’s cross, but Dean was unable to beat Corey Addai, who jumped to his right to knock the penalty away. .
As the home side’s energy began to wane, Rawls attempted to hit the post with a shot after a slight touch from goalkeeper Philippe Martial, but he managed to get the ball out shortly afterwards, taking over after Orsi had blocked the ball away. Contest.
Things got even better for the ruthless Reds, with Orsi completing his treble on an incredibly memorable night.
Williamson: MK Dons have lost momentum
MK Downs head coach Mike Williamson Tell sky sports:
“In terms of the season, that night, we had lost our momentum. I feel for the lads there because it was a really, really tough day. I’ve been through some tough days in football and I think that’s The situation above has seen the toughest times and failures.
“Those lads have given everything; I don’t look at it as a one-off, I look at it on the pitch since we came in and they gave it their all. Even today when we lost our composure and The shape we’re in, they still keep running and to me that’s going to take them a long way.
“What I know about football is that when you get injured you have to react and that is to put your head down and work hard.
“I need to congratulate them. I thought they were really good with both legs. It was another night for us where something could go wrong and it did go wrong. The early goal was hard to take but the lads haven’t changed. their thoughts.
Lindsay: My kids did a great job tonight
Crowley manager Scott Lindsay Tell sky sports:
“I’m really proud. We came into this game with a lot of humility and a lot of respect that we had another job and that was MK Dons – they’re a really good team. Even though we were down to 3 at half-time – 0 up, but yes, we feel like we still have a lot to do, so we’re keeping our feet on the ground in the game.
“My boys didn’t play well tonight – I thought we were outstanding. We scored some great goals, we were aggressive in pressing and keeping the ball.
“As a manager, you know how football is – it has a nasty habit of hitting you where it hurts, so to be honest you don’t really relax until the final whistle. But I’ve definitely enjoyed the last 20 games Contest.
“We’ll recover tomorrow and get back to work on Monday. We’ll watch Crewe in detail and start working on a game plan at the beginning of the week and there won’t be any changes to our preparations and we’re really looking forward to it.”
What’s next?
Crowley Progression to the Sky Bet League Two play-off final where they will face clone Live from Wembley on Sunday 19 May sky sports football.
MK Downs It will remain in the fourth tier in the 2024/25 season.